CAMP HILL, Pa. — Responding to a rise in the number of whooping cough cases across the country, Rite Aid Corp. is alerting consumers that the pertussis vaccine is available at most of its drug stores.
Rite Aid said Thursday that Tdap, the pertussis booster vaccine, is available at more than 3,200 of its approximately 4,700 pharmacies nationwide.
The cost of the Tdap booster shot is $71.99 and is covered by many insurance plans, according to the pharmacy chain.
Rite Aid pharmacists can administer the Tdap booster vaccination at the chain’s stores in California, Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington and the District of Columbia.
The Tdap booster is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for preteens, teens and adults since vaccine protection can decrease over time, Rite Aid noted. Tdap, which also guards against tetanus and diptheria, is also recommended for health care professionals, child care providers, grandparents, pregnant women, and family members with newborn infants.
Rite Aid added that its pharmacists can administer flu shots in addition to vaccinations for 16 other diseases, depending on state regulations. Immunizations offered include hepatitis A and B, human papillomavirus (HPV), meningococcal disease (meningitis), pneumococcal disease (pneumonia), shingles, MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) and varicella (chickenpox).
